Page 138 (1/2)

I sat there, fury at more, Nelson or Belinda? After I had confronted hi in the boathouse, he had assured ain Men should never be perues should shrivel as soon as they begin to say the words "I promise"

"I guess I have to go get an abortion," she said through her tears

I thought for a long moment

"No," I declared

"What?"

"No, you're not getting an abortion, Belinda You're not letting hiet aith this, not this time I forbid it," I said

"Well ill I do then? I can't have a baby What a to do with a baby?" she wailed

"It's not just your baby, is it? It's Nelson's child, too," I said

She whimpered and sobbed and stared up at me

"What do youto make him keep the baby? His on't like that, will she?"

"I'ht now Did he think about his hen he met with you in Boston? Did he?" I snapped at her She shook her head

"I don't want to have another baby," she cried "I'htened"

"That's stupid, Belinda I've had two, haven't I? The reason you had that horror show the first tis It will be different this ti my spine to steel "It will be quite different This time you have me"

"I' about it," she said shaking herself as if she were shaking off ice water "And I have nightht I can't fall asleep unless I drink myself to sleep Olivia, do you hear me?"

I snapped out of lared down at her